Kitchen Ideas Vintage

Want to design a kitchen that's eclectic and love-worn, or retro with a dash of playfulness? The term ‘vintage style’ can mean different things to different people; there is no established design formula. There are, however, a few simple guidelines that will help you to evoke the right atmosphere, which we're covering below.

And if you want all the practical advice you'll need to get your transformation going, there isn't a question we don't answer on our kitchen ideas page.

The one thing that unites all kitchens in this style is that they reflect a sense of nostalgia – looking back to simpler, wholesome times and happy childhood memories. This makes mastering the art of display crucial. Quirky, boldly coloured appliances, rustic beaten-up tins, crates and utensils, chintzy mismatched china, copper pots and pans, and other vintage kitchenalia should all be proudly displayed. Place on open shelving, in glass-fronted cabinets – which should not be lined wall to wall – or hanging on hooks. Old crates repurposed as shelves look fantastic.

Vintage Kitchen Design With Rustic Styles

The best vintage kitchens let the accessories do the talking, so ideally keep the units simple, and top them with timber work surfaces. Solid wood cabinets, left bare or painted pastel or muted shades, with rounded timber door knobs, create the right level of laid-back charm. If you want any more kitchen cabinet ideas, we have lots that of ideas would work in a vintage-style kitchen over in our dedicated feature.

For a more retro look though, nothing beats original aluminium English Rose units – a classic design produced throughout the 1950s. Made from top-quality materials after World War II, in factories that made parts for Spitfires, they are a perfect example of great British engineering, and reclaimed units are very desirable (try Source Antiques). Love the look of a retro kitchen? Go and have a read of our inspiring gallery.

One thing a vintage-style kitchen should never be is perfect: a bit of wear and tear only adds to the charm. Do not distress pristine units, but do pick up old worn furniture (check it is structurally sound) from flea markets or antiques fairs – perhaps an old dresser on which to display china, or a farmhouse table and Windsor chairs. Mismatching the chairs creates a sense of evolution; paint chairs in different colours and rub the edges with sandpaper for a pretty, shabby-chic effect.

Cottage Style Kitchens That Will Make You Feel At Home

Appliances in most vintage-style kitchens tend to be very Fifties inspired, in bold or pastel colours with soft, curvy edges. Modern appliances, such as those from Big Chill, are perfect for a vintage kitchen, plus they are available in a wide range of colours from crisp white to pastel pink. Original vintage fridges can be refurbished, making them fit for the 21st century (try The Vintage Fridge Company).

Fabrics are key to adding warmth and texture to the look. Opt for blinds, curtains (and, as an aside, shutters work, too), tablecloths and tea towels in brightly coloured floral prints; classic combinations include bright reds, pinks and aqua or you could opt for more Fifties-style pastels, such as yellow, blue or green. Finish the look with a retro oilcloth and mismatched chair cushions.

Wallpaper is also a great way to add interest to a vintage-style kitchen. Choose a print that's subtle (floral always works) and matches your over all colour scheme. We recommend choosing something in a neutral tone, just so it doesn't get too busy with out the other vintagey finds you'll have going on in your kitchen. But that needn't mean plain – an intricate pattern will work too.

Modular Kitchen Designs

We love this botanical inspired wallpaper from The Little Greene Paint Company is muted colours don't create too much distraction but the traditional small print definitely has a country cottage appeal.

The accessories are a vital part of vintage kitchen design. Opt for appliances in pastel shades and retro designs that fit the aesthetic and create a elegant focal point. Create a functional display by showcasing your vintage crockery collection on open shelving or dresser. Decanting dry goods into vintage bottles and kilner-style jars also adds to cosy and lived-in atmosphere that a vintage-style encourages, complete with chalkboard labels for rustic look.

If you're looking for some baking tins to create a statement, you can get this set of five Orla Kiely baking tins (worth £45) for FREE, when you subscribe to six months of Period Living magazine. You can get all the vintage inspiration you need delivered straight to your door, as well as the perfect place to store all your delicious bakes.

Vintage Kitchen Decor Ideas

Melanie has been working in homes magazines for almost 14 years and is currently Editor of Period Living magazine. She lives the brand's ethos of creating a forever home in an old house with new ideas as she slowly improves her own rural home. When she isn't at work, Mel enjoys cooking, caring for her garden and exploring the countryside.All Categories Bathroom Design Ideas Bedroom Design Ideas DC Design Stars DC Home Tours DC Updates Dining Room Design Ideas Drawing Room Design Ideas Hall Interior Design Ideas Home Decor Ideas Home Interior Design Ideas Housekeeping Kids Bedroom Design Ideas Living Room Design Ideas Modular Kitchen Design Ideas Study Room Design Ideas

If you have a man in the house then you know the secret ingredient a way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. Where you cook is important you need to be happy and content while mixing up ingredients to put out a great meal. Vintage and retro kitchens have and never will go out of style. Take a read on some vintage and retro kitchen ideas for your home.

This kitchen looks like it just walked out of a wedding all dressed in white! This beautiful vintage kitchen with an old English touch will make you want to have breakfast in Tiffany style. This kitchen has plenty of room for storage with the provision of drawers, a special deck for your stove and overhead glass cabinets to put away your crockery. It is time to cook away into the land of fairytales.

Retro Kitchen Design Ideas And Resources

Time to wind back to the days this kitchen was all you needed to bake and make to feed a family. Take a look at this retro kitchen in pastel green. This kitchen spells out retro! Its stove comes with a dual oven attached at the bottom. You can now brew some broth while you bake some bread! Isn’t it just brilliant? For those of you who love the classic 80’90’s kitchen look then this kitchen is totally you! This retro kitchen has a slab, so you place your jams and other confectioneries on top and store your crockery away in the bottom cabinets. A rack to place the bottle is there too!

Old is gold. If you have visited your grandparents who stay away abroad you might see that they have this kitchen. A rustic woody kitchen and they seem to just love it. This old-style kitchen is often a mix of old English and country. So if you’re looking for a country style rustic vibe then this kitchen is for you. It will give you the feeling of living in a cottage. This kitchen has bottom cabinets made from wood and overhead cabinets made from glass and wood. This kitchen slab has a sink, a stove and also some room to place your jars of jam.

This kitchen looks like it walked out of a movie from the times of war! Made from wood sprayed with a beautiful light gold paint it is nothing less than a luxurious kitchen anyone would die to have. As beautiful as it looks, an antique kitchen is for those who love the old day rend with a pinch of richness. This kitchen comes with ample space to put away your crockery and confectionery. Bakers, you have the privilege of baking two things at a time with a dual oven facility.

Fabulous Shabby Chic Kitchens That Bowl You Over!

You all know just how much you miss the 90’s the good old days when life was real and what we have today was just a dream. This 90’s block fridge is to die for. That classy block looks so retro! This fridge adds to the retro kitchen decor. A brick wall, a single steel oven takes us back to the days where milk bars were a thing!

This is what we at Design Cafe think are the best vintage and retro kitchen ideas for your home. Let us know what you think! Send us an email. Can’t wait to hear from you!

Shreya Bilagi is a content writer at Design Cafe who has a creative and adventurous personality. She has worked in the media for the past four years starting off as a Radio Jockey with Radio Mirchi and later an anchor on television. Her love for dogs is infinite. Art and culture, spirituality, theatre, travelling, Netflix and wine all fall under her circle of passion.

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